Rachel Israel has directed two comedies, "The Floaters" and "Influenced," that foreground Jewish identity at a time when Jewish culture faces significant pressure. These films arrive as much of Jewish culture has been shaped by war, rising antisemitism, and questions of identity under duress. Israel stated her intention to provide an alternative image of Jewish joy, directly countering the prevailing climate where antisemitism is on the rise and anti-Israel fervor over the Gaza war has put Jews on the defensive.
"The Floaters," set at a Jewish summer camp, and "Influenced," a satire culminating in a b’nai mitzvah, both feature strong Jewish elements, according to Israel. She did not initially set out to create exclusively Jewish content, but noted that it has "kind of rolled into being." Reviewer Nell Minow observed that "The Floaters" possesses an "appealing Jewish neshama (soul)," offering an "exceptionally authentic movie portrayal of the way Jewish traditions and culture reflect and shape the Jewish worldview."
Cultural Defense Against Hostility
The creation of these films serves as a cultural affirmation in an environment increasingly hostile to Jewish life and sovereignty. Israel’s work highlights the resilience of Jewish identity. "Influenced" features characters who reference the Genesis concept of all humans being created "b’tzelem Elohim," in the image of God, inspiring them to establish a charity. This underscores a foundational Western value often challenged by those seeking to delegitimize Jewish existence.
"The Floaters" premiered globally about 1 year ago in June 2025 at the Bentonville, Arkansas, Film Festival, later having its Southeast U.S. premiere at the Miami Jewish Film Festival. "Influenced" premiered earlier this year in January 2026 at the Miami Jewish Film Festival. Both films have been showcased on the Jewish film festival circuit, fostering a sense of "Jewish familiarity" and an "expansive, Jewish film family," as Israel described it.
Legacy of Resilience and Identity
Israel’s personal connection to Jewish heritage is profound; her maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors. She emphasized their influence on her understanding of what it means to be Jewish, citing their focus on family, humor, and open communication about "messy things." This lineage underscores the enduring importance of preserving Jewish identity against historical and contemporary threats of annihilation.
For Israel and her husband, producer and filmmaker Kurt Enger, maintaining a "positive emotional connection to being a Jew and pride in that identity" is crucial for raising their five children, aged 2 to 9. She identifies with a "Reform, Conservative-level of observance," prioritizing Shabbat and the continuation of Jewish legacy. Israel earned her MFA from Columbia University 13 years ago in 2013, having developed her first feature, "Keep the Change," based on a short from her graduate studies. That film was partly set in a Manhattan Jewish community center, drawing on people she knew. The deliberate choice to center Jewish life and joy in her recent works stands as a quiet but firm act of civilizational defense.